How to Submit Poetry to Literary Journals
Submitting poetry to literary journals is one of the most common ways poets share their work and begin building a publication record. Most journals accept submissions through online systems during specific reading periods and review poems for possible publication.
What Are Literary Journals?
Literary journals are publications dedicated to poetry, fiction, essays, and other forms of creative writing. Many journals publish work by both emerging and established writers and are an important part of the literary ecosystem.
Poetry journals may appear in print, online, or in a hybrid format. Some are affiliated with universities, while others are independent publications run by editors and small presses.
Many poets publish individual poems in journals before assembling a full collection. If you are interested in book-length projects, you may want to read our guide on what a poetry manuscript is.
Step 1: Prepare Your Poems
Before submitting to literary journals, poets usually revise their work carefully. Journals typically expect polished poems that are ready for publication.
Most journals allow poets to submit a small group of poems at once, often between three and five poems in a single submission.
Make sure your poems are:
• carefully revised
• properly formatted
• free of spelling or typographical errors
Step 2: Research Literary Journals
Each journal has its own editorial preferences and submission guidelines. Before submitting, it is helpful to read several poems the journal has published so that you understand the kind of work they feature.
Many poets use directories such as Poets & Writers or Submittable to find journals currently accepting submissions.
Some journals specialize in experimental poetry, while others focus on traditional forms or emerging voices.
Step 3: Follow Submission Guidelines
Most literary journals publish detailed submission guidelines on their websites. These guidelines explain how many poems you can submit, how to format your work, and whether simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Common submission guidelines include:
• submitting 3–5 poems at a time
• including a short author bio
• submitting through an online platform such as Submittable
Always read a journal’s guidelines carefully before submitting your work.
Step 4: Submit Your Work
Once your poems are ready and you have identified appropriate journals, you can submit your work through the journal’s submission system. Most journals accept submissions through online platforms.
After submitting, the editorial review process may take several weeks or months depending on the journal’s reading schedule.
Why Publishing in Journals Matters
Publishing individual poems in literary journals helps poets share their work with readers and participate in the broader literary community.
Many poets also publish poems in journals before assembling them into a book-length manuscript. If you want to understand how collections are eventually published, see our guide on how to publish a poetry book.
From Journals to Books
For many poets, journal publications are part of the journey toward publishing a poetry collection. Individual poems often appear in journals before they are gathered into a manuscript and submitted to a press.
Independent poetry presses play a key role in this process. If you want to learn more about how publishers work, see our guide on what a poetry press is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most journals allow poets to submit between three and five poems at a time, though guidelines vary by publication.
Many journals allow simultaneous submissions, but you should notify a journal if a poem is accepted elsewhere.
Some literary journals offer small honorariums, but many publish poetry primarily to support literary culture rather than provide significant payment.